RB Darren McFadden scores on a 6-yard TD pass as he returned to action after missing four games due to injury. Photo by Tony Gonzales.
The Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders 26-13 on NFL Network's Thursday Night Football at O.co Coliseum in Oakland. QB Carson Palmer tossed a pair of touchdown passes and passed Cotton Davidson for 10th place all-time in passing in Raiders history, but it wasn't enough.
The Raiders won the coin toss and deferred their choice to the second half. The Broncos elected to receive the game's opening kickoff. WR Trindon Holliday returned K Sebastian Janikowski's opening kickoff 33 yards to the Denver 32. QB Peyton Manning capped the 10-play, 64-yard drive with a 6-yard TD pass to TE Joel Dreessen. The extra point was good and the Broncos took a 7-0 lead with 10:30 left in the 1st quarter.
RB Mike Goodson downed K Matt Prater's ensuing kickoff in the end zone for a touchback and the Raiders offense started at the 20. The Broncos held the Raiders to a three-and-out and P Shane Lechler came on to punt on 4th and 6. Holliday was hit by safety Mike Mitchell and fumbled as he attempted to catch Lechler's 51-yard punt, but CB Tony Carter recovered for Denver at the 25.
Denver drove deep into Raiders territory but a sack on 3rd and 8 by DE Lamarr Houston forced a 43-yard Prater field goal attempt. The successful kick capped a 10-play, 50-yard drive, and gave the Broncos a 10-0 lead with 5:09 to go in the 1st quarter.
Goodson scooped up the ensuing kickoff on the second hop and returned it 18 yards to the Oakland 19. A few plays later, Palmer hit rookie WR Rod Streater on a 58-yard bomb to the Broncos 22. CB Champ Bailey picked off Palmer on the next play. Denver took over at the Broncos 21.
Prater capped a 10-play, 64-yard drive with a 34-yard field, which gave Denver a 13-0 lead with 13:39 left in the 2nd quarter.
Goodson fielded the ensuing kickoff in the end zone for a touchback. The Raiders went three-and-out and Holliday called for and made a fair catch of the 59-yard punt at the Denver 17. CB Phillip Adams ended the Broncos drive with a diving interception at the goal line. The Raiders took over at the 20.
Palmer capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive with a 6-yard TD pass to RB Darren McFadden. Janikowski's extra point was good the Denver's lead was cut to 13-7 with 1:59 left in the 2nd quarter.
Janikowski's ensuing kickoff sailed out of the back of the end zone for a touchback and the Broncos started at the Denver 20. The Broncos drove to midfield before the Raiders forced a punt. WR Denarius Moore called for and made a fair catch at the Raiders 17 and a Palmer kneel-down brought the first half to a close.
The Raiders drive stalled just past midfield and Denver took over at the Broncos 9 after a Lechler punt and a fair catch. The Broncos drive stalled at the Raiders 2 and Prater came on for a chip-shot field goal. Prater's 20-yard FG capped a 10-play, 89-yard drive and gave the Broncos a 16-7 lead with 7:30 left in the 3rd quarter.
Goodson returned the ensuing kickoff to the Oakland 8. A few plays later, Palmer was sacked and fumbled. Denver recovered at the Raiders 2.
Denver took advantage as RB Knowshon Moreno scored on a 1-yard TD run. The extra point was good and the Broncos led 23-7 with 5:07 to go in the 3rd quarter.
After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff, the Raiders went three and out. Lechler's punt was downed at the Denver 46. A holding penalty on Denver moved them back to their 36. The Broncos settled for a 33-yard Prater field goal which gave them a 26-7 lead with 19 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
The Raiders were unable to mount a drive and punted the ball back to Denver, who started at the 15 after a fair catch. The Raiders forced a punt and took over at their own 14 after Moore returned the punt 8 yards. A few plays later, Palmer connected with WR Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 56-yard catch and run for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good and the Broncos lead stood at 26-13 with 5:36 left in the game.
The Raiders onside kick was recovered by Denver at the Oakland 49. The Broncos drove deep into Raiders territory and Oakland's offense didn't see the ball again.
The Raiders fall to 3-10 on the season and host the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday December 16 at O.co Coliseum.
